Grasses along Stevenson Bridge Road

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 6 November 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

Twilight. Reflected light from the setting sun illuminate the field. The eastern face of the California Coastal mountains are in the distance. We are about 1.5 km (1 mi) north of the bridge we've been viewing these past few days. Actually - we saw this same meadow here back in May:

http://fogguy.aminus3.com/image/2009-05-05.html

This image violates a 'rule' in visual art - "never place your horizon in the middle of the image." This composition suggested an exception to me. I would enjoy reading your thoughts on this.

***

An Unrelated Short Story ~

Immediately behind me here are a long row of olive trees - hanging heavy with olives. About a quarter mile south - advancing towards my position - two folks with buckets were walking along the road harvesting from the weighted branches of these trees. After stowing my tripod in the car - I walked across and helped myself to a handful of the ripest of olives. I bit into one. I should have known better. Despite immediately spitting the fruit to the ground - the bitterness would stay with me for hours.

I learned from one of my fellow harvesters - that soaking the olives in brine for many weeks is necessary to remove the bitter oleuropeins. Live. Learn. I thanked my guide by placing the handful of ripe olives in my hand into his bucket and wishing him a good evening. He advanced me a knowing smile while bidding me a 'good night'. I went on to take the images that follow...

© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission

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Comments (14)

Alun from cheshire, United Kingdom

Really lovely light, nice angle

6 Nov 2009 6:29am

Pepe Cabrera from Cuidad de Antipolo, Philippines

Very nice framing. The horizon is so beautiful!

6 Nov 2009 12:10pm

Betty from Phillipsburg, United States

The horizon in the middle works for this image. Gorgeous light!

6 Nov 2009 2:22pm

Chris from South Jersey, United States

I love the colors and lighting in this - there is somthing about this time of day that is fabulous.....

I agree with you that sometimes rules are meant to be broken (even the all powerful rule of thirds!!)......in the case of this shot I think a slight crop may improve the image, but not from the rule of thirds but to exclude the bit of green grass in the bottom of the frame. For me, the green doesn't quite mix with the other more subdued and "lighter" colors......but that is just my $0.02 (and I won't even charge you for it!!)....

Great story on the olives - I don't like olives to begin with and so wouldn't have made the same mistake....

6 Nov 2009 3:38pm

Anthony Morgan Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany

Soft and gemtle on the eye,a shot to relax to !!!

6 Nov 2009 4:20pm

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

wow -- this is lovely Stephen!! i love the wind swept sky -- the darkened fields... and all the time in the world. beautiful!

6 Nov 2009 4:25pm

@dj.tigersprout: Thanks for the expanded visit and your kind words. This was a magical sunset leading to a warm, still twilight - which continued on beyond this image.

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

as for the heavy 'rule of thirds' -- that seems to be a rule i always hear people speaking of... but also a rule i break on a continual basis... kinda freakish, no? lol. :P

6 Nov 2009 4:28pm

k@ from Paris, France

That light ! A gift, my friend ! Happy to share*

6 Nov 2009 6:13pm

@k@: "Hands across the water" - "Share and share alike" - It is nice to share the AM3 community with you!

Liang from San Francisco, United States

lovely patch of cloud!

6 Nov 2009 6:27pm

Jeff from Pembroke Dock, Wales., United Kingdom

The position of the horizon seems to make the grass absorb more light,and the sky go on forever..Rules were made to be broken (But only if you know what your doing)...I love Olives and was caught out the same way as you in Tuscany,and it took a lot of wine to wash away the taste.

6 Nov 2009 7:27pm

@Jeff: Thanks for sharing your Tuscany story, Jeff - perhaps misery does love company! Cheers...

Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States

I am also of the mind that rules are meant to be broken.......This shot is so soft and peaceful looking.....and the light is just exquisite....as far as the olives....i am a fellow olive lover, and unfortunate for you, but fortunate for me, i've learned if i ever come across them ripe off the vine.....stay away!!!

7 Nov 2009 12:58am

@Susan: Hi there, Susan - - - you don't exactly need to stay away - you can harvest. Just keep them away from from your mouth.